A tragic incident unfolded in Chicago on Saturday night, as a nine-year-old girl was fatally shot in the head by her neighbor.
Serabi Medina, who had lost her mother to gun violence in Chicago five years ago, was riding her scooter in her neighborhood when the incident occurred. According to prosecutors, Serabi had just bought ice cream with her father from a nearby vendor when they heard a gunshot. Concerned for their safety, her father quickly ordered her to go inside their apartment.
The alleged gunman, identified as 43-year-old Michael Goodman, emerged from his building and approached Serabi, who was heading towards the front door of her apartment. Witnesses reported seeing Goodman crossing the street with a gun in his hand, completely ignoring the shouts from Serabi's father. He followed her into the vestibule of her building and, without hesitation, shot her point blank in the head.
Serabi's father, Michael Medina, desperately tried to intervene and protect his daughter. He called out to Goodman and rushed towards him, managing to tackle him into the vestibule. In the struggle, Goodman's own gun went off, striking him in the eye. Tragically, Medina's efforts were in vain, as Serabi had already sustained a fatal gunshot wound.
Goodman is currently in custody and is being held without bond. The police have not yet released a photo or description of the alleged gunman. However, Serabi's family has shared photos of the young girl, allowing the community to remember her vibrant spirit and innocent smile.
During Tuesday's bail hearing for Goodman, witnesses recounted the horrifying moments leading up to the shooting. Rene Aquino, a friend of Serabi's father, described how Goodman approached Serabi with a gun in hand, disregarding any pleas or warnings. Aquino stated, "When he raised the gun up, Mike saw him and said, 'that's my daughter!' Mike started moving towards him, he walked up to her and shot her right in the head."
Neighbors have revealed that Goodman had previously complained about the noise made by children in the neighborhood. Megan Kelley, a neighbor and family friend, shared that Goodman had confronted Serabi's father about the noise before the attack.
However, the noise was nothing out of the ordinary, just the sounds of children playing. Kelley expressed her confusion, stating, "It just didn't make sense. None of it made sense. Everybody in the community would just tell him they are just kids having fun playing, just let them be."
Serabi Medina was known as "Daddy's little girl" and was often seen riding her scooter around the neighborhood. Her tragic death has left the community in shock and mourning. James, a neighbor who brought sunflowers and stuffed animals to honor Serabi, expressed his grief, saying, "She didn't deserve to go."
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